Softwr

Software · head to head

Google Home vs MQTT

Google Home logo

Google Home

Software

Google's smart home platform with Google Assistant

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MQTT logo

MQTT

Software

Lightweight messaging protocol for IoT devices

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Home web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app; MQTT mQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec
  • They diverge on capability: Google Home covers Google Assistant, MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Home and MQTT actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Home and MQTT differ
AttributeGoogle HomeMQTT
Pricing modelUnknownopen-source
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, ChromeOSAny platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing
Founded20161999

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Home

  • Google Assistant
  • Voice Control
  • Routines
  • Multi-Room Audio
  • 10,000+ devices
  • Nest products
  • Chromecast
  • Third-party apps

Only in MQTT

  • Publish-Subscribe
  • Lightweight
  • QoS Levels
  • Retained Messages
  • IoT platforms
  • Home automation
  • Cloud services
  • Edge devices

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Home

  • Controlling and automating smart home devicesnot MQTT
  • Viewing Nest camera feedsnot MQTT
  • Creating automation routinesnot MQTT
  • Managing household device settingsnot MQTT
  • Voice control via Google Assistantnot MQTT

MQTT

  • IoT messagingnot Google Home
  • Sensor datanot Google Home
  • Real-time updatesnot Google Home
  • Device telemetrynot Google Home

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Home

  • Web version (home.google.com) has limited controls compared to the mobile app
  • Battery-camera live streams on the web app auto-stop after 5 minutes
  • Requires compatible Google/Nest or third-party smart-home hardware - it is a control app, not a standalone product

MQTT

  • MQTT is an OASIS standard messaging protocol maintained by a standards committee, not sold by a vendor; there is no company-controlled price list, subscription, or edition to compare because implementations are independent open source or commercial products built on the spec

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Home

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Home review.

MQTT

Free
  • Open ProtocolFree
    • Publish-subscribe
    • Lightweight
    • QoS levels

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Home if

  • You need google assistant.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS.
  • You also want voice control.
Google Home review

Choose MQTT if

  • You need publish-subscribe.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
  • You also want lightweight.
MQTT review

Questions people ask

Is Google Home or MQTT better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Home starts at Free and MQTT at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Home or MQTT?
Google Home starts at Free and MQTT at Free.
Does Google Home or MQTT run on more platforms?
Google Home runs on iOS, Android, Web, ChromeOS. MQTT runs on Any platform, Embedded devices, Cloud, Edge computing.
Can I use Google Home for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Home best used for?
Google Home is most often used for controlling and automating smart home devices, viewing nest camera feeds, creating automation routines, managing household device settings. Of those, controlling and automating smart home devices and viewing nest camera feeds are not what MQTT is typically brought in for.
What can Google Home do that MQTT cannot?
Google Home covers Google Assistant, Voice Control, Routines, Multi-Room Audio. MQTT covers Publish-Subscribe, Lightweight, QoS Levels, Retained Messages.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Google Home

More on MQTT

Keep looking

Other head to heads